13 June 2007

Review Security Contract Says NZ First

New Zealand First has called on the Defence Minister to intervene in a contract for the provision of security guard services at the Defence Force’s Headquarters of Joint Forces.

The contract has been offered to a company previously found to have employed security guards with criminal convictions at Wellington Central Police Station, says defence spokesperson Ron Mark.

Mr Mark says the Minister, Phil Goff, confirmed in Parliament today that the directors of the successful tenderer are the same directors who headed ‘Specialised Guard Services’ who last year provided two unlicensed guards to work at the police station.

“One was a gang member with convictions for rape and serious assault and the other had been convicted of dishonesty. They were supervising a suicidal female inmate,” says Mr Mark.

“The Joint Forces headquarters deals with some of our country’s most sensitive information including details of overseas deployments and SAS activities.

“It should be one of the most secure premises in the country and it beggars belief that a company with such a past should have been offered the contract to guard the place.

“The Defence Force required tenderers to describe their experience and expertise in providing appropriate personnel and to detail the security vetting and clearance processes for the staff they employ so it is quite alarming that this tender was accepted.

“The Minister should look long and hard at the vetting processes being employed by the Ministry which he is responsible for. That is where the real blame lies in this debacle,” says Mr Mark.

ENDS

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